“Didn’t Know Rock Could Act That Well” – Joe Rogan Left in Awe After Mark Kerr Biopic Movie ‘Smashing Machine’

UFC veteran commentator Joe Rogan talks with Mark Kerr about Dwayne Johnson’s acting in the upcoming MMA movie. 

“Didn’t Know Rock Could Act That Well” – Joe Rogan Left in Awe After Mark Kerr Biopic Movie ‘Smashing Machine’

Joe Rogan was awestruck after watching Dwayne Johnson’s acting (via X/Imago)

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WWE superstar and Hollywood star Dwayne Johnson, also known as The Rock, recently released the trailer for his new movie, ‘Smashing Machine’. The movie is a biopic of former UFC fighter and MMA legend Mark Kerr, which will be out next month. For the movie, The Rock has gone through a massive transformation, which was praised by many experts, including Joe Rogan.

Mark Kerr is one of the most celebrated veterans in MMA, gaining fame for his dominance during the UFC’s early years. In his prime, Kerr was unstoppable, showcasing incredible wrestling skills, striking power, and resilience that made him a feared heavyweight champion. 

He won multiple heavyweight titles across different promotions, solidifying his reputation as one of the sport’s most accomplished fighters ever. Recently, he appeared on Joe Rogan’s podcast, where the host shared his disbelief at watching Johnson portray Kerr on the big screen. 

I didn’t know The Rock could act that well. You know, it’s really good acting. It’s not like blockbuster movie acting, which is… He’s great at that, but it’s a different thing. It’s completely different.

Joe Rogan via JRE #2384

Mark Kerr seconded Rogan’s opinion, explaining that Dwayne Johnson had no obligation to undergo such an intense transformation for authenticity. The WWE superstar turned Hollywood actor is widely recognized for portraying larger-than-life action heroes in blockbuster franchise movies worldwide.

However, according to Kerr, ‘The Rock’ pursued something entirely different, giving his absolute best effort to convincingly embody the challenging role. Johnson’s dedication and hard work have already paid off, as Smashing Machine received an incredible fifteen-minute standing ovation in Venice.

The film, directed by Benny Safdie, presents a gripping narrative filled with tension, emotion, and unforgettable cinematic storytelling moments. Starring Emily Blunt, Ryan Bader, Bas Rutten, and the undisputed heavyweight champion Oleksandr Usyk, alongside Johnson, the cast has delivered incredible performances.

Many film critics praised Johnson’s acting performance, noting his transformation and predicting he could potentially earn an Oscar for excellence. UFC CEO Dana White also got an opportunity to watch the movie, and he was extremely impressed by Johnson’s portrayal. Nevertheless, Joe Rogan and Mark Kerr discussed various topics on their podcast, including the current state of UFC competition.

Joe Rogan and Mark Kerr discuss the rise of Russian fighters in the UFC 

The rise of Russian fighters in UFC began with Khabib Nurmagomedov, whose unmatched wrestling skills and relentless grappling made him unstoppable. His success inspired a new generation, including his protege Islam Makhachev, who also became the lightweight champion.

Joe Rogan and Mark Kerr in their latest podcast
Joe Rogan and Mark Kerr in their latest podcast (via X)

Other family members and cousins of Khabib, including fighters across Dagestan, have also excelled, dominating promotions and building global reputations. Magomed Ankalaev recently became the UFC Light Heavyweight Champion, highlighting the continued emergence of Russian talent at the sport’s elite competitive level.

Khamzat Chimaev also captured the UFC Middleweight Championship this year, dominating others with his elite wrestling. Joe Rogan and Mark Kerr talked about this in detail, and the veteran fighter shared his opinion on this. 

I would think that somewhere in there. There’s a root. There’s a common Like there’s coaches and mentors because the only way I’ve learned how to wrestle or MMA is through mentorship. You know somebody really going, ‘Hey, let me show you,’ and they had a mentor and they had a mentor. It’s his lineage that’s passed along.

Mark Kerr via JRE #2384

The Nurmagomedov lineage began with Abdulmanap Nurmagomedov, Khabib’s father and legendary coach. Islam Makhachev often credits Abdulmanap for his success, having trained alongside Khabib from the very start. 

Mark Kerr, known for his wrestling expertise, has expressed immense respect for this new generation of dominant Russian fighters. As such, it remains to be seen if the curreny generation of American wrestlers can challenge the Russian dominance in the sport of MMA.

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